Another idea I had, for a Spelljammer campaign, was to use half templates for many species on one world. It is based on the illithid article in Dragon 150 (the native creatures were similar in form and reproduction of the illthid at that time). Think of a world where everything has orcish blood. Not that orcs bred with everything, but rather everything was closely related.
What new species have you created via templates?
- Thread starter DMH
- Start date
DMH said:
Then you'll love this for my Eberron game, I decided to give the Daelkyr a more insect appearance and theme. I backed this up by creating an "insect" template that give flight and armor to Aberrations as well as an insectoid appearance. The true test will be when they meet my new mind flayers.
I'm also strapped for time and cash, so I'm not motivated to buy or use the new DnD psionics book for NPCs. I've used the Psychic templates in Green Ronin's Advanced Beastiary book to represent the powers I need.
As an aside, if you like templates, this book is what you love.
Telas
Explorer
I just recently acquired the Advanced Bestiary book, and I haven't really scratched the surface with it. Lots of possibilities here.
I have used it to tweak my Dark Goblinoids - The results of bio-magical-genetic engineering by a rogue Drow Noble House looking to create a fast-breeding warrior/slave race that isn't affected by daylight. Half Drow and half Goblin, Hobgoblin, or Bugbear, they worship the Drow as their creators.
Train them in the proper classes, and you've got a scalable enemy with the PC's abilities and more.
Telas
I have used it to tweak my Dark Goblinoids - The results of bio-magical-genetic engineering by a rogue Drow Noble House looking to create a fast-breeding warrior/slave race that isn't affected by daylight. Half Drow and half Goblin, Hobgoblin, or Bugbear, they worship the Drow as their creators.
Train them in the proper classes, and you've got a scalable enemy with the PC's abilities and more.
Telas
Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
Where are the skinrug construct and non-euclidian templates from?
All the templates I have used so far are from Advanced Bestiary, MM and my absolute favorite: Book of Templates (Deluxe Edition) (Silverthorne). I haven't even touched the Template Troves, Bodies and Souls, or Penumbra Fantasy Bestiary for this thread.
My point with the 3 random critters was that even unexpected templates can make for interesting creatures. Try it some time- open a monster book and a template book to a random page and see how they would interact. Stacking templates can be crazy or cool and I usually look at 2 or 3 for complex creatures or ones to be used mulitple times.
My point with the 3 random critters was that even unexpected templates can make for interesting creatures. Try it some time- open a monster book and a template book to a random page and see how they would interact. Stacking templates can be crazy or cool and I usually look at 2 or 3 for complex creatures or ones to be used mulitple times.
Any chance you guys will post some of your templated beasties? I'd love to see these creatures statted up.
For my own games (some of which I haven't used yet):
Desiccated blink dogs
Aberrant umber hulk (telepathic)
Enchanted gelatinous cube
Enchanted wyvern
Blighted thrall goblins (A very evil cleric intentionally set them up to fail his "test", so he'd have unquestioning servants. His god doesn't mind, so...)
Half-nymph human (great con artist)
For my own games (some of which I haven't used yet):
Desiccated blink dogs
Aberrant umber hulk (telepathic)
Enchanted gelatinous cube
Enchanted wyvern
Blighted thrall goblins (A very evil cleric intentionally set them up to fail his "test", so he'd have unquestioning servants. His god doesn't mind, so...)
Half-nymph human (great con artist)
Psion
Adventurer
In my drow thread in the plots & places forum, you might find my two-headed abberation lizard brute, the results of magical experimentation on lizardfolk (was actually an ettin with the saurian, two-headed, abberation, and juggernaut templates on it, from savage species and Book of Templates.)
In my second world game, I made the steed of Ved Qayat otherworldly by applying the insectoid template to them. I even had some artwork for it in one of my sci-fi art books. The players called it (aptly and simply) "the bug horse."
I created a 3e version of the Arthurea by applying the half-celestial template to a succubus.
I have used a variety of half fiendish creatures like a half fiend steed for a death knight.
In an upcoming game, I am planning a "glittering swarm", a swarm of little gecko sized emerald dragons, by applying the creature swarm template (from advanced bestiary) to an emerald dragon.
In my main campaign world, there are no lycanthropes; the moon goddess swept them away as an affront to her portfolio. However, the curse of some lycanthropes is too stong to be so simply swept aside. Many rose as vampires, creatures known as WURDALAK. All lycanthropes in Trinalia have the vampire template and (since this event was several hundred years ago) the elder vampire template (a template of my own making that can be applies to vampires over 100 years old.)
In my second world game, I made the steed of Ved Qayat otherworldly by applying the insectoid template to them. I even had some artwork for it in one of my sci-fi art books. The players called it (aptly and simply) "the bug horse."
I created a 3e version of the Arthurea by applying the half-celestial template to a succubus.
I have used a variety of half fiendish creatures like a half fiend steed for a death knight.
In an upcoming game, I am planning a "glittering swarm", a swarm of little gecko sized emerald dragons, by applying the creature swarm template (from advanced bestiary) to an emerald dragon.
In my main campaign world, there are no lycanthropes; the moon goddess swept them away as an affront to her portfolio. However, the curse of some lycanthropes is too stong to be so simply swept aside. Many rose as vampires, creatures known as WURDALAK. All lycanthropes in Trinalia have the vampire template and (since this event was several hundred years ago) the elder vampire template (a template of my own making that can be applies to vampires over 100 years old.)
Compete with gear
Here is my full blown new "insect mind flayer" for my Eberron game. As a heads up, I am also giving the intelligent aberrations access to Cook's Chaositech equipment.
"Daelkyr" Mind Flayers
Hit Dice:8d8
Initiative: +7
Speed: 30 ft, Flight 30 ft.
AC:17
Attacks: 4 tentacles +9 melee, or two claws +7 and one bite +7, or [4 chaositech cleaver harness weapons +9 (can’t move – not even a 5-foot step)]
Damage: Insect/crab mini-limbs (tentacle) 1d4+1, claws 1d4+1 and bite 1d6+1, cleaver arms 1d8 (19/x2)
Special Attacks: Mind blast, psionics, improved grab, extract, Rake, Bounding Leap (charge more than 10 ft and get a rake)
SQ: SR 25, telepathy, Flight
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +9
Abilities: St 12, Dx, 16, Con 14, In 19, Wis 17, Cha 17
Skills: Same set with Spot +15 and add Climb +8
Feats: Wingover, Alertness, Combat Casting, Dodge, Improved Init., Weapon Finesse
CR: 11 (+1 for insect template, +2 for cleaver harness)
Here is my full blown new "insect mind flayer" for my Eberron game. As a heads up, I am also giving the intelligent aberrations access to Cook's Chaositech equipment.
"Daelkyr" Mind Flayers
Hit Dice:8d8
Initiative: +7
Speed: 30 ft, Flight 30 ft.
AC:17
Attacks: 4 tentacles +9 melee, or two claws +7 and one bite +7, or [4 chaositech cleaver harness weapons +9 (can’t move – not even a 5-foot step)]
Damage: Insect/crab mini-limbs (tentacle) 1d4+1, claws 1d4+1 and bite 1d6+1, cleaver arms 1d8 (19/x2)
Special Attacks: Mind blast, psionics, improved grab, extract, Rake, Bounding Leap (charge more than 10 ft and get a rake)
SQ: SR 25, telepathy, Flight
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +9
Abilities: St 12, Dx, 16, Con 14, In 19, Wis 17, Cha 17
Skills: Same set with Spot +15 and add Climb +8
Feats: Wingover, Alertness, Combat Casting, Dodge, Improved Init., Weapon Finesse
CR: 11 (+1 for insect template, +2 for cleaver harness)
